Draft-rigging for engines and tenders.



Patented Feb. 27, I900. 1

E. C. WASHBURN. DRAFT RIGGING FOR ENGINES AND TENDERS.

4 Sheets-Sheet l.-

(Application filed Ap (No Model.)

KMM'LLMM No. 644,384 Pate n ted Feb. 27, I900.-

- E. c. WASHBURN.

DRAFT BIGGING FUR ENGiNES AND TENDERS,

(Application med Apr. 10 1899. v

4 Sheeia-$heet 2 (No Model.)

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(w 9 g g af 4 :7 gauy i llnnmur 74QW/MJ I I. '4 Patented Feb.'27, I900. E. C. WASHBURN. DRAFT RIGGING'FOR ENGINES AND TENDERS. Ab licacion filed Apr. 10, 1899.) (No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 3.

Patentd m. 27, mom

' E. c. wAsH unN. DRAFT RIGGING ENGINES TENDERS.

(A ucatiui; filed A r; 10, 1889.

4 Sheets-Shoat 4,

N o Model.)

r a Z "Elli!!! Nrrnn STATES PATENT Fries.

DRAFT-RIGGING FOR ENGINES AND TENDERS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 644,384, dated February 27, 1900.

Application filed April 1 0, 18 9 9.

To a whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWIN O. WASHBURN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Min-' neapolis, in the county of Hennepin and State of Minnesota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in' D raft-Rigging for Engines and Tenders; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My present invention relates to railway draft-riggings, and is primarily directed to the improvement to such draft-riggings as are especially applicable to engine-tenders.

My said invention has for its obj eet to improve the construction of these draft-riggings in the several particulars hereinafter noted; and to this end the invention consists of the novel devices and combinations of devices hereinafter described, and defined in the claims.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like characters indicate like parts throughout the severa views Figure 1 is a plan view showing thedraft bracket or casting, the coupler, and connections between the coupler and bracket, which parts are constructed in accordance with my invention and collectively constitute the draft device ordraft-rigging. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the parts shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical section taken approximately on the line 95 40 of Fig. 1. Fig.4is a front elevation of the parts shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a detail View, in side elevation, some parts -being broken away and others sectioned,

showing a portion of the locking pin or dog and its lifting connection. Fig. 6 is a hori: zontal section taken approximately on the line 00 00 of Fig. 2, some parts being broken away, but with the knuckle shown in full. Fig. 7 is a vertical longitudinal section taken approximately on the line 00 03 of Fig. 6, showing the coupler and the draft-bracket as separated or drawn apart and with other part-sremoved to better illustrate the construction of the parts shown. Fig. 8 is a bottom plan view of the coupler removed from the draft-bracket. Fig. 9 is a plan View of the draft bracket or casting with the coupler removed therefrom,

Serial No. 712,355. (No modeLl some parts of the same being broken away. Fig. 10 is a detail view in plan, showing a sliding spring base or plate and cooperating springs; and Fig. 11 is a transverse vertical section taken on the linear: c0 of Fig. 10.

.The so-called draft-bracket in the construction illustrated is intended to be in the form of a malleable casting and is indicated as an entirety by the numeral 1. This draftcasting 1 is provided with flanges 1 and 1",

' adapted to engage, respectively, with the front or outer and the bottom surfaces of the transversely-extended draft-beam of the tender, and these flanges are provided, respectively, with bolt-holes 1 and 1 through which bolts may be passed to secure the said casting to the said draft-beam in the ordinary way.

In the construction illustrated the vertical flange 1 of the draft-bracket is provided in the vicinity of its transverse center with three heavy draft lugs or ears 2, that are located one over the other and provided with perforations or pin-seats 2 through which a vertical pintle or pivot-bolt 3 is adapted to be passed. Projecting outward from the said vertical flange 1" on each side of the draftlugs 2 is a pair of somewhat smaller yetvery strong ears or lugs 4, through which short vertical pins 5 are adapted to be passed fora purpose which will hereinafter appear.

The lowest member of the draft-lugs 2 is provided with a forward or outward extension 6, which terminates in a transversely-extended support or bearing-surface 7 ,through which a transversely-extended slot or passage 8 opens. The said lowest draft-lug 2 and also the parts 6 and 7 are shown as flanged and ribbed, so as to give them great strength, with a minimum of weight, and to permit of the better malleableizing of the casting.

The coupler-head is indicated as an entirety by the numeral 9, and in a general way it may be stated that it is cored out or formed hollow and ribbed or flanged to give it strength and is provided withastub end or stub draftbar portion 10, the horizontally extended flanges 11 of which are spaced apart vertically and are of such thickness that they are adapted to embrace the central draft-lug 2 and to be embraced by the upper and lower draftlugs 2when placedin working position. The flanges or plates 11 are perforated at 12 to permit the pintle or pivot-bolt 3 to be passed therethrough, so as to pivotally connect the coupler to the draft-bracket, as best shown in Figs. 1 and 6. The inner end of the stubbar 10is cut away or beveled toward its side, so as to permit of aconsiderable lateral movement of the coupler with respect to the'draftbracket. The coupler-head 9 is of the Master Car-13uilders type and is providedwith the ordinary cars 13, to which an ordinary knuckle 1% is shown as pivoted by means of a pivot-bolt 1'5. The upper end of this pivotbolt 15 is extended above the upper ear 13 and is then bent horizontally and extended over the spaceintervening between the coupling end of the knuckle and the adjacent wall of the coupler-head, thus forming a guardfinger or projection 16, which will overlie the coupling end of the knuckle of the interlocked coupler. This guard finger lb will serve to prevent the coupler-head from falling or lowering, except very slightly, in case the said coupler-head is pulled loose from its normal or primary connection to the draftbracket. The pivot pin 15 16 is secured against rotation, as well as against vertical movement, by means of a cotter or pin 17, passed through the lower end thereof and through a depending boss or collar on the lower ear or lug 13.

The tail of the knuckle 1t is locked and released by a vertically-movable locking pin or dog 19, the body of which works through a seat or passage 20 in the upper portion of the coupler-head and is provided with a depending stem or contracted portion 21, that works through a seat or passage 22. The upper end of the pin 19 is provided with an ear or lug 23, to which the clevis 24: of the pinlifting connection 25 is secured by means of a pin 26. It is important to here note that the head of the pin is recessed on each side of the car 23, so as to permit the rounded sides of the clevis 24 to work with clearance, with the seat for the pin 26 located very close to the base of the lug 23, or, in other words, very close to the top of the locking pin or dog 19. This arrangement leaves the lug 23 very much stronger than would be the case ifthe said pin-seat were located farther above the top of the locking pin or dog.

The coupler-head is provided at its under side with a pair of spring seats or sockets 28, located one on either side of the locking pin or dog. The upper ends of coiled supportingsprings 29 work within these seats or sockets 28. The lower ends of said springs 29 bear upon the ends of a spring-base or chafingplate 30, which in turn rests upon and is adapted to slide transversely of the coupler over the supporting-surface 7 of the bracket extension 6. The said spring base or plate 30 is provided with bosses or hubs 31, around which the lower ends of the springs 29 engage to hold the lower ends of the said springs properly spaced. The said base or plate 30 is also provided at its central portion with a perforation or cut'away portion 32, through which the depending stem or finger 21 of the locking-dog 1.) is always free to pass without engagement.

As the springs 29 are very short, and as the lower portions of the seats or sockets 28 ex tend very close to the spring base or plate 30, it follows that the said springs can tilt sidewise but very slightly, and hence that the said spring base or plate will be caused to slide endwise over the supporting-surface 7 under the oscillating movements of the coupler-head. In fact, with the construction illustrated, the springs telescope with their seats or sockets 28, and the bosses 31 telescope with the said springs in such manner that the said springs are always held vertically, and the said spring base or plate 30 will be given movements corresponding precisely to the movements of the coupler-head. This construction is important, in that it always keeps the springs in proper position to properly support the coupler-head and prevents distortion of the springs.

The lower end of the stem 21 of the locking-dog works through or within the transversely-elongated passage 8 of the support 6 7. A pin-lifting lever 33, which, as shown, is pivoted at 3st to cars 35 formed on one side of the support 7, is provided at its intermediate portion with a horizontal and transverselyextended portion or shelf 36, whiehis adapted to engage with the lower end of the depending finger 21. This shelf or surface 36 is sufficiently extended transversely of the coupler so that the said finger 21 will always stand over the same regardless of the positions of the coupler. The pin-lifting lever 33 has a lifting connection 37 attached to its free end, by means of which it may be raised, and by the action of the shelf portion 36 on the finger 21 raise the locking-dog 19 into its releasing or unlocking position. The pin-lifting lever 33 might be pivoted to the coupler-head itself and mounted to move laterally there with, in which case the shelf portion 36 would not need to be much extended.

On each side the coupler-head is provided with a pair of strong ears or lugs 38, through which short but strong pins or bolts 39 are passed. Secured between each pair of cars 38 and the pair of cars 4 of the draft-bracket by means of the pins 39 and 5 is a strong link 40. These links 40 are of such length that they permit the normal lateral oscillations of the coupler, and hence do not interfere with the actions of the coupler, while the coupler is secured to the primary draft-lugs 2 by means of the pin 3. However, in case of an accident, such as the breaking of the primary draft-lugs 2 or other accident resulting in the disconnection of the coupler from said draft-lugs, the links 40 will then serve to keep the coupler-head securely connected to the draft-bracket, so that the coupler will not be disabled and the train will not be broken in two.

The specific construction of the couplerhead will now be more particularly noted. By reference particularly to Figs. 1, 7, and 8 it would seem that the coupler is provided on its upper and lower faces, respectively, with segmentally-extended bearing shoulders 41 and 42, which are adapted to bear, respectively, against the upper and lower draft'lugs 2 of the draft-bracket 1. To strengthen the coupler at the points or angles where the shoulders 41 and 42 join the plates or portions 11, the coupleris provided, respectively, with longitudinally-extended reinforcing-ribs 43 and 44, as best shown in Figs. 6 and 7.

The guard-arm portion 9 of the couplerhead is cast hollow and within the couplerhead it is bounded by vertical flanges or webs 45, and within the inclosure thus formed an endless strengthening-rib 46 projects inward from the vertical walls, as best shown in Figs. 3 and 6. This reinforcing-rib 46 gives great strength to the guard-arm without requiring the same to have any great weight.

By reference to Figs. 1 and 3 it will be noted that that portion of the upper face of the coupler which surrounds the locking dog or pin 19 is raised considerably above the adjacent face-surface of the coupler. As shown in Fig. 3, this is accomplished by bulging upward the shell of the casting adjacent to the locking-dog, so as to form a section which is U shaped in cross-section, as indicated by the numeral 47 in Fig. 3.

By reference to Fig. 6 it will be noted that the flanges or reinforcing-ribs 48, 49, and 50, together with a portion of the flange or web 45, serve to completely tie together the sides of the coupler-head rearward of the pin-seat 2O 22. This also greatly increases the strength of the coupler-head without materially increasing its weight.

By reference to Fig. 7 it will be noted that both the upper and the lower front walls of the coupler-head are formed channel-shaped in cross-section, as indicated by the numerals 51 and 52, respectively. This also gives great strength at a point where it is much needed without giving much weight, and it also permits the parts to be properly malleableized.

The flanged section 50 (best shown in Figs. 3 and 6) serves as a guard-flange which will prevent the locking-dog 19 from being forced inward out of an operative position in case its depending finger 21 should be broken off or omitted in its construction.

What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is as follows:

1. The combination with a coupler pivoted for lateral movements, of means for primarily securing the same to a car or tender, and a secondary or emergency connection for rendering the said coupler operative when the primary connection is disabled, substantially as described.

2. The combination with a coupler pivoted Oil for lateral movements, and means for primarily securing the same to a car or tender, of a pair of link connections connecting the sides of said coupler to the said car or tender, said links normally permitting the free lateral oscillations of said coupler, but adapted to serve as an emergency connection, substantially as described.

3. The combination with a draft-bracket, of a coupler pivotally secured thereto, and secondary or emergency connections between the said coupler and bracket, said secondary connections being arranged to normally permit the lateral oscillation of said coupler, substantially as described.

4. The combination with a draft-bracket and coupler pivoted thereto, of link connections between the sides of said coupler and said draft-bracket, said links serving as secondary or emergency connections, substantially as described.

5. The combination with a draft-bracket havingthe draft-lugs 2 and the pairs of draftlugs 4, of the coupler pivotally connected to said draft-lugs 2 by the pin or bolt 3, and provided with the laterally-projected pairs of lugs or cars 38, and the links 40 connected to the corresponding pairs of ears or lugs 4 and 38, by means of the pins or bolts 5 and 39 respectively, substantially as described.

6. The combination with a draft-bracket and the coupler pivoted thereto, of a pair of springs applied between said bracket and said coupler on the opposite sides of its center, for yieldingly holding said coupler upward, substantially as described.

7. The combination with a draft-bracket having the projected supporting-arms 6, of the spring-base or chafing-plate movable over said supporting-arms 6., a coupler pivotally connected to said draft-bracket, and one or more springs applied between said springbase and said coupler, substantially as described.

8. The combination with a draft-bracket provided with supporting-arms 6 with bearing-surface 7, of the spring-base or chafingplate 30 with boxes 31 working on said surface 7, the coupler pivoted to said draft bracket and provided with the spring seats or sockets 28, and the pair of springs 29 engaging the said seats 28 and working over said bosses 31, substantially as described.

9. The combination with a draft-bracket, of a coupler pivoted thereto and provided with a locking dog or pin with depending lower end, and the pin-lifting lever 33 pivoted to said bracket and provided with the extended shelf or pin-lifting section 36, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

10. The combination with a draft-bracket provided with the supporting-arm 6 with elongated perforation 8, of the coupler pivoted to said draft-bracket and provided with a locking dog or pin having a depending end that works through said perforation 8, and a lifting-lever working below said supporting-arm or dog, and the springs 29 applied between said coupler and said spring'base 30, substantially as described.

12. The combination with the d raf t-bracket having the draft-lugs 2 and supporting-arms (3 with surface 7 and perforation S, of the coupler having the lugs or flanges 11 and spring seats or sockets 28, the pin or bolt 3 pivotally connecting said parts 2 and 11, the spring-base 0r chafing-plate 30 Working on said surface 7 and provided with bosses 31 and perforation 32, the springs 29 in said sockets 28 engaging around said bosses 31, the locking-dog 19, the depending stem 21, and the lifting-lever pivoted to said arms 6 and provided with the shelf or extended surface 36 engaging said stem 21 to lift the dog, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

EDWIN C. \VASIIBURN.

\Vitnesses:

M. M. McGRonY, F. D. MERCHANT. 

